Prepare for your Solicitors' Qualifying Examinations (SQE) and a successful career in law. Through vocational training and academic study, you'll understand the practical and theoretical aspects of legal practice.
Unlock your legal career and take the next step on your path to becoming a solicitor with our LLM in Solicitors' Practice, meticulously crafted to prepare you for the Solicitors’ Qualifying Examinations (SQE). This course combines hands-on training with real courtroom experience, guiding you through the essentials of Functioning Legal Knowledge, including ethics, to build on the Foundations of Legal Knowledge gained in your undergraduate studies.
Through a balanced approach of lectures, interactive workshops, and independent study, you’ll enhance your problem-solving abilities and engage in reflective discussions to prepare for a career in legal practice. Our curriculum emphasises the practical procedures of law, alongside key areas of Functioning Legal Knowledge, promoting a reflective, nuanced understanding of both substantive legal rights and broader themes.
Benefit from Kent Law School’s strong connections with local employers, providing valuable opportunities for paid Qualifying Work Experience (QWE) placements. As one of the UK’s leading law schools and ranked 2nd in research in the Complete University Guide, Kent offers the advantage of learning from award-winning academics with practitioner experience. Our distinctive critical approach situates the law within wider social, political, and economic contexts, encouraging you to think critically about the diverse challenges and impacts of the legal field.
You must have achieved at least 2:2 in your law degree with an overall average of above 57% or above on their classification. Alterntatively, you must have achieved at least a 2:2 with an overall average of 57% or above on their classification in any non-law degree and achieved a pass in a Graduate Diploma in Law (or equivalent).
All applicants are considered on an individual basis and additional qualifications, professional qualifications and relevant experience may also be taken into account when considering applications.
Please see our International Student website for entry requirements by country and other relevant information. Due to visa restrictions, students who require a student visa to study cannot study part-time unless undertaking a distance or blended-learning programme with no on-campus provision.
This course requires a Very Good level of English language, equivalent to a high B2 on CEFR.
Details on how to meet this requirement can be found on our English Language requirements webpage.
Examples:
IELTS 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component
PTE Academic 67 with a minimum of 59 in each sub-test
A degree from the UK
A degree from a Majority English Speaking Country
We’ve created the most progressive approach to higher education, developing and modernising our curriculum. For 2025 our courses will be designed with you at their heart to deliver a top-class student experience and career outcomes.
The following modules are what students will typically study, but this may change year to year in response to new developments and innovations.
Your learning will be dynamic and interactive. Lectures provide foundational knowledge and context, while workshops focus on practical legal problem-solving and in-depth discussions, often touching on socio-legal topics. These sessions are complemented by your own study, including online materials like interviews with legal professionals, and completing assessments.
The Lawyering Skills Assessment Preparation module will be taught over two terms not including Summer+. The only module taught during Summer+ will be the Dissertation (Solicitors’ Practice).
Wherever your career takes you after this course, almost all of you will either be working for a business or running one. As a newly qualified solicitor, you are expected to have a comprehensive understanding of what goes on behind the scenes in business life, from your local cafe to your favourite brands, to the strawberry farm down the road.
You may be involved with a business at any point from, its conception to its death. Clients may ask for your advice on which business form they should choose, how the business could or should be governed, who makes business decisions and whether they will be liable for the consequences, what records a business has to keep, how businesses are financed, what they have to disclose about their affairs, what happens when they run out of money and critically, how they are taxed. Understanding these components is so important for a newly qualified solicitor that one third of the SQE 2 is devoted to Business Law.
This module will equip you with the functioning legal knowledge needed for the Business Law elements of SQE1, as well as a provide you with a comprehensive introduction to Business Law for SQE 2.
One person wrongs another. They broke a promise or caused them harm. Perhaps they deny responsibility. A civil dispute arises. How do we resolve the dispute justly; and how much will it cost? How can you, as an ethically-minded, competent and newly-qualified Solicitor help your client whether they are the person wronged or the alleged wrongdoer?
From the start of a Solicitor's involvement in a dispute to its resolution, you will learn how to analyse and evaluate contractual and tortious disputes, and how to effectively apply relevant principles and rules of civil dispute resolution to bring it to an end. You will assess facts and law relating to realistic civil disputes. This will enable you to form legally sound judgements useful to your client who is caught in a complex web of legal procedures and processes. And you’ll be able to explain what, if anything, this will cost. Along the way, you will gain clarity and critical understanding about why 99% of legal disputes never go to trial despite - or perhaps because of - the Solicitor's role in solving them.
This module will equip you with the functioning legal knowledge you need for the dispute resolution component of Solictitors Qualifying Examinations 1.
‘I do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm that I will faithfully try the defendant and give a true verdict according to the evidence.’ These were the words that Benjamin heard as each jury member took their oath in the crowded court room. But how did he get there?
From the start of the solicitor’s involvement in a criminal case to its conclusion you will learn how to analyse, evaluate, and advise on criminal liability, evidence and procedure. You will learn how to effectively apply relevant principles and rules. You will assess facts and law relating to realistic criminal scenarios. This will enable you to form legally sound judgements. You will gain clarity and critical understanding of how the criminal lawyer can make a difference (or not) to those in society, who are at their lowest ebb.
Armed with knowledge and skills obtained, you will be in a great position to undertake the first step towards qualifying as an ethically grounded solicitor in England and Wales. That’s because this module provides the functioning legal knowledge you need to pass the criminal law and practice component of SQE1.
Your dissertation will provide you with opportunity to bring together the themes you have been discovering during the course and allow you to reflect on your future role as a solicitor whilst critically evaluating the role of a solicitor in society
A solicitor’s day in practice is never the same. As a prospective solicitor you must have the skills to enable you to be prepared for the unexpected. You will be under immense time pressure. In a single day in practice, you will be expected to take instructions from clients. You will write letters to clients and others. You will draft documents. You will go to court and present a case. You will need to analyse case papers quickly and provide advice in person, over the phone or in writing.
Through scenario and roleplay-based training, this module will equip you with the skills necessary to deal with the day-to-day tasks of a practising solicitor. You will have the opportunity to use the functioning legal knowledge already obtained and cemented in other modules. You will do so by using and applying that knowledge through a variety of different skill sets.
The learning and the assessments you undertake on this module are closely aligned to the Solicitors’ Qualification Examinations (SQE) Part 2. On completion of this module, you will have the foundations required to tackle many of the SRA’s SQE2 assessments.
TBC
What should you do if: your client or boss asks you to do something you think is wrong? Your duty to your client conflicts with your duty to the court? You accidentally send an email intended for your client to the opposing side? Your answers to these questions, and more, will make the difference to your professionalism, adherence to Solicitors Regulatory Authority requirements, and how you feel about the distinction between personal and professional ethics.
You will explore the concept of professionalism in relation to legal and other professions. In this frame, you will be introduced to professional legal ethics and, through application to real-world scenarios, reflect regularly on professional and ethical issues. This will enable you to see the ways in which ethical and professional practice concerns cut across different areas of legal practice and will equip you to consider similar issues in wider course learning and on into your future career.
By the end of this module, you will have gained an in-depth understanding of solicitors’ practice and its regulation, covering all aspects of the ‘Principles of Professional Conduct’ section of the specification for Part 1 of the Solicitor's’ Qualifying Examinations (SQE), and you will be able to apply that knowledge to SQE assessments.
Home ownership is something many aspire to. Some people also desire to purchase property for commercial purposes. What is involved in conveying residential or commercial property? How can you, as an ethically minded, competent and newly qualified solicitor help your client to smoothly sell or purchase property? What forms must they complete? Which taxes are involved and how much must they pay? What are the differences between freehold and leasehold estates?
You will gain an in-depth understanding of the process of buying and selling property, including taxation requirements and the regulatory and ethical responsibilities placed on solicitors. You will engage in problem-solving skills and you will learn how to analyse and evaluate complex rules, principles and procedures in Property Law & Practice.
Armed with the knowledge and skills obtained in this module, you will be in a great position to undertake the first essential step towards qualifying as an ethically grounded Solicitor in England & Wales. That's because the module provides the functioning legal knowledge you need to pass the Property Law & Practice component of SQE1.
We all own an estate. Did you know that? Your pen, laptop, and bank savings all form a part of your estate which you can pass on in life or on death. How can you, as an ethically minded, competent and newly qualified solicitor help your client to make a will, set up a trust, invest their assets and save on taxes? What advice would you provide to administrators of estates about dealing with the estate of a deceased person while protecting themselves from liability?
From the start of a solicitor’s involvement in estate planning to administration you will learn how to analyse and evaluate complex rules, principles and procedures to help clients structure their estate efficiently, to protect their wealth for the future (including the use of trust instruments), to provide for those dearest to them and minimise tax liabilities.
Armed with the knowledge and skills obtained in this module, you will be in a great position to undertake the first essential step towards qualifying as an ethically grounded Solicitor in England & Wales. That's because the module provides the functioning legal knowledge you need to pass the wills, trusts and administration of estates component of Solicitor’s Qualifying Examinations 1 (SQE1).
Assessments are designed to mirror the SQE format. Formative multiple-choice questions, prepare you for SQE Part 1, while summative assessments offer practical, skills-based exercises, setting the stage for SQE Part 2, Qualifying Work Experience, and your future role as a solicitor. We assess your knowledge and understanding entirely through coursework. This strategy is designed to mirror real-life tasks you would encounter as a practising solicitor, ensuring you are well-prepared for your future career. We have planned a variety of assessments and spaced them throughout the year, allowing you to manage your time effectively and benefit from ongoing feedback.
For course aims and learning outcomes please see the course specification.
Kent Law School has a lively and active postgraduate community, bought about in part by our strong research culture and by the close interaction between our staff and students. Staff publish regularly and widely in journals, conference proceedings and books and embed their research in their teaching. Taught students have regular contact with their programme and module conveners with staff on hand to answer any questions and to provide helpful and constructive feedback on submitted work. The Law School has an active and inclusive extra-curricular academic and social scene with regular guest lectures, talks and workshops organised by our research centres (which include the Centre for Critical International Law and the Centre for Sexuality, Race and Gender Justice (SeRGJ).
Our Law Library has long been a leader in the development of electronic resources for legal teaching and research. The extensive and up-to-date law collection in the University’s Templeman Library is particularly strong on electronic material, and the Electronic Law Library includes numerous legal databases, which are increasingly invaluable tools for research. In addition, you can access the text of thousands of law journals online. Our law librarian is available to train you to use these resources and runs regular legal research classes with postgraduate students.
We have a dedicated postgraduate office, offering support from application to graduation. Postgraduate students at Kent Law School have access to a postgraduate computing room, study area and common room with wireless internet access.
All students registered for a taught Master's programme are eligible to apply for a place on our Global Skills Award Programme. The programme is designed to broaden your understanding of global issues and current affairs as well as to develop personal skills which will enhance your employability.
Full details of staff research interests can be found on the School's website.
The taught modules of this course focus on employability skills to help you thrive as a solicitor. You will tackle practical exercises based on real-life scenarios, similar to those in the SQE2 exams. We encourage use of the latest legal software and online practitioner texts. We collaborate with local lawyers to ensure our teaching methods and content are informed by current practice. Our 'Practical Approach' Series features talking heads videos with practitioners that bring law to life and align your learning with what future employers want.
Outside the classroom, you can build an employability portfolio through various activities like the law clinic, the lawyering skills programme and the student outdoor clerk scheme. These experiences will enrich your learning and also align with values like sustainability and ethical practice.
Our MLaw Paralegal (QWE) Scheme lets you work up to three days a week at partner firms, fitting perfectly with our block timetable where you attend university for two days. Applicants for the standalone MLaw LLM (Solicitors’ Practice) must apply to the course in good time and pay a non-refundable deposit to be considered for the QWE Scheme.
Our approach comprehensively integrates employability skills into your studies and offers diverse co-curricular activities. We align with the university's Careers and Employability Strategy, equipping you with the skills and experiences to succeed in the legal field, locally, or further afield.
The 2025/26 annual tuition fees for this course are:
For details of when and how to pay fees and charges, please see our Student Finance Guide.
Tuition fees may be increased in the second and subsequent years of your course. Detailed information on possible future increases in tuition fees is contained in the Tuition Fees Increase Policy. If you are uncertain about your fee status please contact information@kent.ac.uk.
The University will assess your fee status as part of the application process. If you are uncertain about your fee status you may wish to seek advice from UKCISA before applying.
For details of when and how to pay fees and charges, please see our Student Finance Guide.
Tuition fees may be increased in the second and subsequent years of your course. Detailed information on possible future increases in tuition fees is contained in the Tuition Fees Increase Policy. If you are uncertain about your fee status please contact information@kent.ac.uk.
You'll need regular access to a desktop computer/laptop with an internet connection to use the University of Kent’s online resources and systems. We've listed some guidelines for the technology and software you'll need for your studies.
Find out more about accommodation and living costs, as well as general additional costs that you may pay when studying at Kent.
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For applicants of Kent's LLM in Solicitors’ Practice September 2025 entry course.
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Kent has risen 11 places in THE’s REF 2021 ranking, confirming us as a leading research university.
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